He is able to help

For because he himself has suffered when tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted. Hebrews 2:18 ESV

One of the greatest things that we can come to know about Jesus is that He experienced life just as we do. He can relate to us on every level of human experience. The verse above is proof of that. The verse speaks about temptation, which is something that every living person deals with. Jesus can sympathize with us because He has lived just as we do. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. Hebrews 4:15 We can draw strength from the fact that our savior endured the temptations of this life, did not sin and was willing to take our sins to the cross. We can know that when we fail to resist temptation His ability to resist it covers our sins.

When we do fall to temptation we can go to God in confidence knowing that He will forgive us because of Jesus. Hebrews 4: 16 says this, “Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” Because Jesus is our mediator with God, He pleads our case for us. He knows what we have experienced and He helps us when we need it.

It is amazing to think about how Jesus put himself in our shoes so he could understand us to the deepest levels of our being. So, the next time you think God doesn't understand what caused you to sin, know that He does. Know also that He wants to forgive you of your sins. Approach Him in prayer and sincerely ask for forgiveness and He will grant it.

We can apply what we have learned about Jesus and forgiveness to our lives. The next time we see someone sinning or they sin against us directly we need to put ourselves in their shoes and try to understand why they do what they do and be forgiving like our Lord is. We will be forgiven as we forgive others.

© 2012 Leo J. Woodman